Window Preservation Guidance

The following are links to a variety of documents and websites will help you to solve the mysteries and myths regarding historic wood window retention vs. replacement, window rehabilitation and window upgrades .

Maintenance and Preservation

• Weather Stripping 101: Learning How to Install Weatherstripping on your Windows and Doors.
• Saving Sash Windows: Restoring your home's original sash windows is easier than it seems.
• Sash Window Clinic:  Maintaining the mechanics of double-hung windows.
• Seven Ways to Weatherize:  Quick guide on how to weatherize your home for the long winter months.
• Getting the Lead out of Windows? How to deal with lead paint issues on old windows.
• Saving old Windows: Reputty, reglaze, repaint and repair guide.
• Temporary Window Vents in Unoccupied Historic Buildings How to preserve your options while awaiting a vacant buildings restoration.
• Aluminum Replacement Windows for Steel Projecting Units with True Divided Lights and Matching Profiles How to find solutions for preserving or replacing steel windows.
• Is Stained Glass Protective Glazing Necessary? Overview on the do's and don't's of stain glass preservation.
• Interior Storm Windows: Magnetic Seal Information about interior storm window as an option.

• Window Muntin Identification Guide Quick guide to muntin profiles from the 1740s to the 1930s.

Repair or Replace

• The Right Thing. What are the facts and myths of the replacement vs. restore historic windows debate.
• Wood Windows: Repair or Replace? An illustrated real-world case study on the pros and cons of window replacement.
• Creating Windows of Energy-Saving Opportunity.  Article that suggests that wood windows have a higher energy performance than new vinyl windows.
• Window Restoration: Always an Option The benefits and economies of restoring pre 1940 windows.
• Historic Wood Windows - A tip sheet from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
• "These Windows Matter" - On-Line Guide to window repair and restoration.
• Window Know-How - A Guide to Going Green.
• Windows: Energy Efficiency - Facts & Myths - by Shanon Peterson Wasielewski
• Thermal Performance of Traditional Windows and Low-Cost Energy-Saving Retrofits
• Saving Energy in Historic Buildings: Balancing Efficiency and Value
• What Replacement Windows Can't Replace: The Real Cost of Removing Historic Windows
• Embracing Energy Efficiency
• The Truth About Windows and Storm Windows too!
• Double Hung Window Restoration - Manufactor Guide